Characterization of an Extracellular Serine Protease of Fusarium eumartii and its Action on Pathogenesis Related Proteins

Proteases have been proposed as part of the invasion strategies of some pathogenic fungi. In this work, a serine protease produced by the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium solani f.sp. eumartii was purified and characterized. Purification of the enzyme was accomplished by gel filtration through a Superose 12 column, followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography in Phenyl Superose and gel filtration chromatography through Superdex 75. Analysis of the purified enzyme by SDS/PAGE without heat treatment, revealed a single band, which corresponded to the proteolytic activity detected by zymogram. When this protein was subjected to denaturing conditions, two major polypeptides of approximately 30 and 33kDa were revealed. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of one of these polypeptides showed a high similarity with fungal mature serine proteases of the subtilisin family. This protease hydrolysed in vitro, specific polypeptides of potato intercellular washing fluids and cell walls. The protease was also able to degrade pathogenesis-related proteins from the intercellular washing fluids. The role of this serine protease as part of the fungal strategy to colonize potato tuber tissues is discussed.     

Purification and Characterization of 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase from Maize

The proposed target enzyme for benzoylcyclohexanedione herbicides, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) was purified from etiolated maize seedlings with a purification factor of 105. Enzyme activity was measured by detection of carbon dioxide formed from radiolabelled substrate. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7·3 and an apparent molecular mass of 43 kDa, similar to that of the mammalian liver enzyme. Activity needs the presence of a reducing system glutathione/dichlorophenol indophenol or ascorbate and catalase. Surprisingly, a commercial catalase preparation of low specific activity—generally used for the enzyme assay—showed HPPD activity which was separable from the catalase activity on a gel filtration column. According to kinetic studies with purified maize HPPD, experimental herbicides from the family mentioned were strong competitive inhibitors of the plant enzyme in nanomolar range withK_i values of 5 and 15 nM for 2-(2-nitro-4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-(2-methoxyethyl) cyclohexane- 1,3-dione and 2-(2-chloro-4-methanesulfonylbenzoyl)- cyclohexane-1,3-dione (SC-0051; sulcotrione), respectively.     

软腐欧氏杆菌的蛋白酶与致病作用的关系

 胡罗卜软腐欧氏杆菌(Erwinia carotovora var.carotovora Dyc)在合成培养基MS中产生两种蛋白酶,但在无细胞滤液中测不到果胶裂解酶和果胶水解酶的活性。用等电聚焦电泳测得这两种蛋白酶都是碱性蛋白酶,等电点分别为8.3和8.9。变性温度为49-50℃,对酸或碱具有较高的稳定性。纯化的蛋白酶单独作用马铃薯块、能使其变软,切片观察表明细胞壁被明显降解。通过滤膜结合法,将供体菌1830/pJB4J1::Tn5的转座子转入到野生型StEcc-12中,从2000个接合子中获得了11个缺少产蛋白酶能力的突变体。这些突变体的分泌性蛋白质等电聚焦图谱与野生型菌株明显不同,其中一个变突体蛋白酶带完全缺失,另外一个则出现8条新的蛋白带,其他5个属部分缺失。这些突变体对马铃薯块组织离析、腐烂的能力都有不同程度的减弱。研究结果认为在由胡罗卜软腐欧氏杆菌引起的软腐病程中蛋白酶和果胶酶是协同作用的,果胶酶降解植物细胞间和胞壁中的果胶质,而蛋白酶则降解植物细胞壁和膜中的蛋白质。     

一株银杏内生真菌的鉴定及其活性代谢产物研究

药用植物内生真菌是一类重要的微生物资源,能代谢产生多种生物活性物质,本研究从浙江天目山自然保护区银杏Ginkgo biloba中分离获得1株活性菌株TMSF169。通过形态学和ITS rDNA序列分析,鉴定该菌株为团青霉Penicillium commune。发酵粗提物采用正相硅胶柱层析和Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱层析,以紫外光或碘蒸汽显迹,配合活性追踪,从菌株TMSF169发酵液中分离获得1个具抗真菌及除草活性的化合物TMSF169A,通过质谱和核磁共振波谱等技术将其结构鉴定为圆弧菌醛酸（cyclopaldic acid）。活性测试表明,该化合物具有抗菌活性,对鸭跖草Commelina communis,反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus,马唐Digitaria sanguinalis、空心莲子草Alternanthera philoxeroides、水稻Oryza sativa等植物均具有致病毒性,对芝麻Sesamum indicum和大豆Glycine max不敏感。结果显示菌株TMSF169具有较好的开发应用价值。     

Purification and partial characterization of xylanase from the fungal maize pathogenHelminthosporium turcicum (Pass)

The fungal pathogenHelminthosporium turcicum was found to secret xylanase when grown on minimal medium containing xylans, wheat straw or isolated maize cell walls. The highest xylanase activity occurre when the fungus was grown on maize cell walls. When glucose was added to this medium xylanase activity was suppressed. The xylanase enzyme was purified from the culture filtrate by subsequent anion exchange chromatography, cation exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The purified xylanase gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of 22.5 kDa. It is determined to have a pI of 7.4, specific activity of 11300 nanokatals mg^–1, pH optimum between pH 5.5 and 6.5 and optimal temperature between 50 °C and 60 °C. The half-life of the enzyme at pH 6.0 and 50 °C was found to be 35 min. For primary structure comparison with other xylanases, the protein was digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were separated by reversed phase chromatography and selected peptides were sequenced. The determined amino acid sequence showed high homology with xylanase fromCochliobolus carbonum and three other fungal xylanases.     

淡紫拟青霉几丁质酶的纯化和活性影响因子

 淡紫拟青霉(Paecilomyces lilacinus)是一种重要的植物线虫卵寄生真菌。采用DEAE-22离子交换层析和SephcrylS-300凝胶过滤层析分离纯化到一种淡紫拟青霉胞外几丁质酶,经7.5%聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电脉检测为单一条酶带,Rf值等于0.43。淡紫拟青霉几丁质酶的最适温度为45℃。热稳定性测定表明它在40℃下放置10min可保持原有活力,60℃下10min,完全失活。该酶的最适pH值为5。其pH值稳定性与温度和反应时间有关。20℃、20min,在pH3~9范围内稳定;37℃、1h,则只在pH5~7范围内较稳定。金属离子如Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺、Zn²⁺、Li⁺和Fe²⁺对酶有一定的激活作用,其中Mg²⁺的激活作用最强。相反,Cu²⁺对酶有强烈抑制作用。     

Activation kinetics of cetylpyridinium chloride on the prophenol oxidase from pupae of blowfly (Sarcophaga bullata)

Prophenol oxidase (PPO) (EC 1.14.18.1) is isolated from pupae of blowfly (Sarcophaga bullata) and purified by employing ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and gel filtration through Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The enzyme exists in a latent or inactive state. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a cationic detergent, is found to activate the PPO activity. The activation of the enzyme by CPC has first been studied by using the kinetic method of the substrate reaction described by Tsou. The results show that the enzyme is activated by a complexing scheme that has not been previously identified. The enzyme first reversibly and quickly binds CPC and then undergoes a slow reversible active course. The activation reaction is a single molecule reaction and the apparent activation rate constant is dependent on the CPC concentration with the function relationship fit with a hyperbola. The micro rate constants of activation and the association constant are determined from the measurements. Substrate binding does not affect the micro rate constants of activation by CPC.     

Entamoeba histolytica: surface proteolytic activity and its relationship with in vitro virulence.

We determined the surface-associated proteolytic activity in three Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 strains (monoxenic HM1, axenic HM1, and HK9) of known virulence and its relationship with collagenase activity. Both activities were also determined in axenic HM1 amoebae trophozoites which were sensitive and resistant to complement-mediated lysis. Surface proteolytic activity was determined in glutaraldehyde-fixed E. histolytica trophozoites, which degraded the insoluble substrate, hide powder azure, and cleaved the human immunoglobulin G heavy chain in a time-dependent fashion, at neutral pH, in presence of 2-mercaptoethanol as cysteine protease activator. Surface proteolytic activity was strain dependent: monoxenic HM1 > axenic HM1 > axenic HK9. This activity correlated with collagenolytic activity (p < 0.05). Acquisition of resistance to complement-mediated lysis by axenic HM1 strain did not modify either surface proteases or collagenase expression. Our results suggest that this surface proteolytic activity could be used as an in vitro virulence marker for E. histolytica.     

Properties of an antibody to Kelevan isolated by affinity chromatography: Antibody reactivation of ATPase activities inhibited by pesticides

Antibody molecules were produced by injection of BSA-Kelevan into chickens and rabbits. Pure antibody was obtained by a single pass of blood serum through an affinity column. The affinity gel was prepared by covalently binding BGG-Kelevan to activated Sepharose 4B-CN. Purity of the antibody was determined by ultracentrifugation and gel electrophoresis. Properties of the antibody included: sedimentation coefficient = 6.2, pI = 7.0, calculated MW = 150,000, and precipitin band formation using the microouchterlony test. The antibodies in free or immobilized form were able to prevent or reverse Kepone inhibition of ATPase activity from a variety of tissues from different sources. About 70 μg (approx 0.4 μM) of purified antibody was sufficient to restore the activity of mitochondrial (oligomycin-sensitive) Mg²⁺ ATPase activity which had been inhibited (in vitro) by 1 μM Kepone. The antibody was effective in preventing enzyme inhibition by other organochlorine pesticides with widely differing molecular structures. However, nonchlorinated inhibitors of mitochondrial oligomycin-sensitive Mg²⁺ ATPase activity were much less affected by the antibody. The available evidence suggests that the antibody binding site for the hapten may be specific for secondary or induced bonding forces due to the carbon-chlorine bonds rather than for a specific molecular structure.     

Bio-potency of serine proteinase inhibitors from Acacia senegal seeds on digestive proteinases, larval growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Proteinase inhibitors (AsPIs) with high activity against serine proteinases were purified from seeds of the tree legume, Acacia senegal by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column and evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera larvae by in vitro and in vivo methods. The molecular weight of AsPIs was found to be approximately 19.58 ± 1.00 and 21.23 ± 1.00 kDa for PI and 18.16 ± 1.00 kDa for PII on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The AsPIs (5 μg/ml) inhibited approximately 70% of midgut trypsin and 61% of elastase-like chymotrypsin. In vitro studies showed that AsPIs have remarkable inhibitory activity towards total gut proteolytic enzymes followed by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The IC₅₀ of AsPIs for midgut trypsin was 0.1 μg/ml and for chymotrypsin was 2.0 μg/ml. The inhibition of gut proteinase enzymes was of the non-competitive type. In larval feeding studies, AsPIs were found to retard growth and development of H. armigera and also affects the fecundity of the pest. The results advocate the use of AsPIs in transgenic technology to develop plant resistance to H. armigera.     

水稻纹枯病菌PG的分离纯化及其理化性质研究

水稻纹枯病菌产生的多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(Polygalacturonase,PG)是其重要的致病因子之一。用丙酮法提取PG粗蛋白,分别经DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换柱、Phenyl-Sepharose 6 Fast Flow疏水柱、Sephadex G-75凝胶柱和DE52离子交换柱层析纯化得到一种具有较高活性的PG纯蛋白。该蛋白分子量为39.81 kD;等电点为4.58;含有糖基,含糖量为1.48%;含有α氨基酸,但不含芳香族氨基酸;不含脂基。这种蛋白在pH4~12范围内均具有活性,pH5时活性最大;对热不稳定,100℃下水浴20 min,活性完全丧失;对胰蛋白酶和蛋白酶K敏感,酶处理后其活性只有对照的35.0%和35.2%;对紫外线和氯仿亦敏感,处理后活性仅为对照的40.0%和51.7%。     

Proteolytic enzymes secreted by larval stage of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis

Excretory/secretory products (ES), collected from in vitro cultures of muscle larvae (L1) of Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) were examined for the presence of proteolytic enzymes. Several discrete proteinases in the size range of 25-55 kDa were identified by substrate gel electrophoresis and were characterised according to pH optima, substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity using azocasein assay. Serine, cysteine and metalloproteinases active at pH 5-7 were identified. The serine proteinases were found to predominate and some of them were found to be specific for the larval stage of the parasite. The results from the substrate analysis indicated the presence of collagenolytic and elastolytic activities. The proteinase activity was inhibited by IgG isolated from T. spiralis-infected mice, an observation of relevance to understanding host/parasite interactions and, ultimately, the development of anti-Trichinella vaccine.     

Characterization of glutathione S-transferase of the rice leaffolder moth, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Comparison of its properties of glutathione S-transferases from other lepidopteran insects

An enzyme that possesses the glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was found in the rice leaffolder moth, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity for the first time by ammonium sulfate fractionation and affinity chromatography. The resultant enzyme revealed a single band with a molecular mass of 24 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reduced conditions. When assayed with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a universal substrate for GST, the purified GST had an optimum pH at 8.0, and was fairly stable at pH 3-10 and at temperatures below 50 °C. The enzyme was also able to conjugate glutathione to 4-hydroxynonenal, a cytotoxic lipid peroxidation product. The present GST was inhibited by fenitrothion, permethrin, and deltamethrin, suggesting that the GST could be involved in metabolizing these organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides.     

Characterization of glutathione S-transferase of the rice leaffolder moth,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Comparison of its properties of glutathione S-transferases from other lepidopteran insects

An enzyme that possesses the glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was found in the rice leaffolder moth, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity for the first time by ammonium sulfate fractionation and affinity chromatography. The resultant enzyme revealed a single band with a molecular mass of 24 kDa by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reduced conditions. When assayed with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a universal substrate for GST, the purified GST had an optimum pH at 8.0, and was fairly stable at pH 3–10 and at temperatures below 50 °C. The enzyme was also able to conjugate glutathione to 4-hydroxynonenal, a cytotoxic lipid peroxidation product. The present GST was inhibited by fenitrothion, permethrin, and deltamethrin, suggesting that the GST could be involved in metabolizing these organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides.     

短短芽孢杆菌Brevibacillus brevs HAB-5主要抑菌活性成分的分析及其特性研究

本文采用乙醇低温沉淀法及 Sephadex G-50凝胶柱等手段分离纯化短短芽孢杆菌 Brevibacillus brevs HAB-5主要活性成分。针对芒果炭疽病菌C7-2,菌株HAB-5发酵产生抑菌活性物质的最佳培养基为改良的LB,命名为ZS,其最佳发酵条件为28℃、2 d和装液量为50 mL/250 mL。菌株HAB-5总蛋白没有拮抗活性,但HAB-5菌液的上清液能产生较强的抑菌效果;同时,在单独培养和与病原菌对峙培养下,取距HAB-5菌落1 cm处的培养基（MB）均对病原菌产生了明显的抑菌圈。菌株HAB-5上清液经硫酸铵沉淀不具有抑菌活性,但采用低温乙醇法等提取具有抑菌作用的菌株HAB-5上清液或MB,其粗提物均产生较强的抑菌效果,再经Sephadex G-50凝胶柱过柱和SDS-PAGE分析,在14.4 kD位置均具有较强信号的条带。因此,菌株HAB-5主要抑菌活性物质为肽类,其中14.4 kD大小的肽类是菌株HAB-5重要抑菌成分。     

Genetic improvement of the desiccation tolerance and host-seeking ability of the entomopathogenic nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Steinernema feltiae</Emphasis>

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from the genus Steinernema (Steinernematidae) are used for biological control of insect pests. The infective stages of these nematodes are intolerant of extreme environmental conditions. Genetic improvement has been suggested as an approach for improving their ability to overcome these limitations. In this study, we bred a heterogeneous population of the EPN Steinernema feltiae Filipjev for desiccation tolerance (both rapid and slow) and enhanced host-seeking ability. We selected for tolerance of rapid desiccation by exposing infective juveniles (IJs) to ambient conditions (22–25°C; 50–65% r.h.) for 100 min. A survival rate of 80–90% was reached after ten selection cycles. To select for tolerance of slow desiccation, we exposed IJs to 97% r.h. for 72 h, followed by further exposure to 85% r.h. for an additional 72 h. A high survival rate (>85%) was obtained after 20 selection cycles. We selected for enhanced downward dispersal by forcing IJs to move through a sand column to reach larvae of last-instar Galleria mellonella placed at the bottom of the column. After 25 selection cycles, the majority (>75%) of these nematodes were found at the layer close to the insects. No reduction in fitness was detected in the selected populations. Nevertheless, the nematode population selected for enhanced downward dispersal displayed significantly higher infectivity than the foundation population. The population selected for slow desiccation was more tolerant of heat stress than the foundation population. These findings establish the basis for improvement of this nematode for use as a biological control agent under field conditions.     

In Vitro Suppression of Mycelial Growth of Fusarium oxysporum by Extracellular Chitosanase of Sphingobacterium multivorum and Cloning of the Chitosanase Gene csnSM1

A chitosan-degrading bacterium, isolated from field soil that had been amended with chitin, was identified as Sphingobacterium multivorum KST-009 on the basis of its bacteriological characteristics. The extracellular chitosanase (SM1) secreted by KST-009 was a 34-kDa protein and could be purified through ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel permeation column chromatography and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A chitosanase gene (csnSM1) was isolated from genomic DNA of the bacteria, and the entire nucleotide sequence of the gene and the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified SM1 were determined. The csnSM1 gene was found to encode 383 amino acids, 72 N-terminal amino acid residues were processed to produce the mature enzyme during the secretion process. Germinated microconidia of four formae speciales (lycopersici, radicis-lycopersici, melonis, and fragariae ) of Fusarium oxysporum were treated with SM1. Chitosanase treatment caused morphological changes, such as swelling of hyphal cells or indistinctness of hyphal cell tips and cessation or reduction of mycelial elongation. Received 2 May 2001/ Accepted in revised form 21 June 2001     

Purification and characterization of turnip mosaic virus helper component protein

ABSTRACT The helper component (HC) protein of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) was concentrated by differential centrifugation followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The partially purified HC was then loaded onto a Ni(2+)-resin column that bound the HC; a histidine tag was not required for binding. The HC eluted from the column migrated as a band of about 50 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In its native state, the HC did not pass through an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular mass cutoff of 100 kDa, which suggested that the HC is in a multimeric form when it is biologically active. The molecular mass of the multimeric form was determined by gel filtration to be approximately 145 kDa. Purified HC retained its activity for several months at -20 degrees C. Using a protein blotting-overlay protocol, purified HC interacted in vitro with an aphid-transmissible TuMV isolate, but not with a non-aphid-transmissible isolate.     

Purification and properties of pyrethroid carboxyesterase in rat liver microsome

Pyrethroid carboxyesterase which hydrolyzes the esters of chrysanthemumic acid was purified from rat liver microsome by cholic acid solubilization, ammonium sulfate fractionation, heat treatment, and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography. The 45-fold purified enzyme (38% yield) is likely to consist of single protein, as evidenced by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, and had a molecular weight of approximately 74,000 and a K_m of 0.21 mM. It is susceptible to inhibition by organophosphates and carbamate insecticides and insensitive to pCMB, mercuric ion, and cupric ion. It is capable of hydrolyzing trans isomers of synthetic pyrethroids much more rapidly (five to ten times) than the cis counterparts. The purified pyrethroid carboxyesterase is apparently identical in nature with malathion carboxyesterase and with p-nitrophenyl acetate carboxyesterase.     

Penetration of triolein and methyl oleate through isolated plant cuticles and their effect on penetration of [14C]quizalofop-ethyl and [14C]fenoxaprop-ethyl

The penetration of two model seed oil compounds, [¹⁴C]triolein (TRI) and [¹⁴C]methyl oleate (MEO) through plant cuticles and their effects on the penetration of [¹⁴C]quizalofop-ethyl and [¹⁴C]fenoxaprop-ethyl were investigated. Experiments were carried out using isolated cuticles from rubber plant (Ficus elastica Roxb.) leaves and from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill,) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits. Chemicals were deposited in droplets on to cuticle discs maintained on agar blocks under controlled conditions. TRI and MEO were used at 1% (V/V). The transfer of radiolabel through cuticles was negligible for TRI and varied from 6 to 13% after 72 h, according to species, for MEO, The penetration results obtained for quizalofop-ethyl (0.084 mg mL^-1) and fenoxaprop-ethyl (0.189 mg mL^-1) were very similar and varied according to species. The greatest diffusion intoagar was observed for pepper (12.8% and 10.7% after 72 h, for quizalofop-ethyl and fenoxaprop-ethyl respectively), the lowest for rubber plant cuticles (1.4 and 1.3% respectively). Addition of MEO produced significant increases in the penetration of quizalofop-ethyl and fenoxaprop-ethyl through rubber plant and tomato cuticles. TRI had an enhancing effect on the two herbicides only with rubber plant cuticles. Results are discussed with particular consideration of the variations between plant species and the possible mode of action of seed oil adjuvants.